Rellie

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. An informal word for a relative, such as a cousin, aunt, uncle or other member of one's extended family
2. Slang for a family member, especially a more distant relation met at gatherings or reunions
3. A casual term meaning a blood relation or in-law, often used in British and Australian speech

Etymology: "Rellie" is a casual British and Australian word for a relative, and it is built in the most ordinary way: the noun "relative" with the diminutive or affectionate suffix "-ie" added to the end. The result is the sort of clipped, familiar nickname that English speakers apply to many everyday words, such as "telly" from "television" or "brekkie" from "breakfast." The trimmed form lets the word sound informal and affectionate, so it suits talk about one's own family rather than the formal legal or genealogical sense of "relative" that it shortens. The word belongs to the same family as "relative" itself, which came into English from Latin through Old French, so "rellie" is a late, playful clipping of an old term rather than a separate root.

Synonyms: relative, relation, kinsman